dezertcruzer

Thanks for the great report. We're also from the Phoenix area and we're going to be on the Miracle in April. We did the same itinerary 4 times on the Splendor, but we've done some other cruises from other ports since then. We're eager to get back to the Mexican Riviera again and on a ship we haven't experienced before.

 

I'm glad the food and beverage manager took care of your issue. We've always found Carnival to step up to the plate whenever there was an issue.

 

I appreciate your evaluation of the different entertainment options. Hopefully we won't get too sleepy too early each night and we'll get to enjoy some of them!

I personally have a very special reason for loving the Fascination. I met my husband on the Fascination when she was new and now we have been married almost 19 years. We would love to sail her again, but we just can't justify air fare from Arizona to Jacksonville for a short cruise. Maybe someday......

Both the Valor and the Magic have Eastern Caribbean itineraries out of Port Canaveral in the Spring of 2016.

I can't wait to hear more!

Subscribing!

We always eat Cuban food at Latin American Café at Bayside. Great food!

On our 9/14/14 cruise on the Freedom of the Seas we had afternoon or evening room service several times. The food was very good, hot things hot, and the cookies yummy! Our only complaint, and it was a small one, was the one time they forgot the crackers with the cheese plate! We always tip $3 - $5 for room service, a small price to me for the luxury of sitting out on my balcony with a yummy meal or snack!

I have no experience with private tours in Jamaica, but we did an RCI excursion in January to the Bamboo Beach Club. It was very enjoyable. It is about an hour's bus ride from Falmouth to the Bamboo Beach Club and some of the participants groused about that, but I enjoyed the scenery very much.

 

Once at the Bamboo Beach Club there are comfy loungers by the water and others in the shade as well. You are served a typical Jamaican jerk chicken lunch with all the lemonade, STRONG rum fruit punch, and beer you want. The young Jamaican servers also entertain. There are restrooms with room for changing after your romp in the surf.

 

On the bus ride back you see the same scenery but from a different angle, and, depending on how much rum punch you have consumed, maybe you'll have a good nap!

 

We had a lovely day. They are on Facebook under Bamboo Beach Club if you want to check them out.

How exciting! Good for you!

Did you get sun on your balcony? Did your room seem dark from the larger/deeper balcony?

 

No direct sun unless the sun was down lower and coming directly at the cabin. I didn't notice that the cabin seemed particularly dark, but I'm really sensitive to a lot of glare anyway.

We had 9078 on the Serenade in January and we LOVED it! Yes, there is some noise from the Centrum, but it didn't bother us. We absolutely loved the huge balcony with 2 regular chairs, 2 loungers and a table. The elevator shaft is no more of an obstruction on one side than the normal balcony divider is on the other side, and when you stand at the rail you can see very well both forward and aft because you are out on the hump. I would take that cabin or one of the others like in in a heartbeat if we sail that class of ship again.

We loved our day at the Bamboo Beach Club. It was very relaxing, there was entertainment, the guys and gals were very attentive to make sure you always had plenty to eat and drink, you could have a massage (extra charge) if you wished. There was also shade, which is great. A beach day with nothing but sun can wear you out in a hurry. I certainly recommend this excursion. The hour's drive in each direction is very scenic, so I didn't find it to be a negative point.

The airport still has a Christmas tree up in February? :D:rolleyes:

 

When we got off the Serenade on January 11, our NOLA hotel still had their tree up. I said something about it coming down soon, and they said, oh, no, it doesn't come down! It is decorated all year 'round for Mardi Gras. So I looked closer, and, sure enough, it was all gold, purple, and green!

530 dezertcruzer

Thank you for all the great information, broken down in such a useable manner!

Hi friends, can someone tell us what time we have to be back on the ship the first night we are in Cabo. We would like to enjoy some Cabo nightlife while the ship is in port for the night.

Is this possible??

 

No, the first day the ship departs at 6:00 and the second day it departs at 4:00. Too bad. They want you to enjoy the nightlife on the ship!